LOS ANGELES – Shaun Livingston has not played in the Clippers’ five exhibition games because of what is being called a lower-back strain, and he has not been cleared to participate in full-court scrimmages.

The Clippers’ second-year point guard was examined Friday after undergoing his second MRI exam of the month Thursday, and the team is awaiting the results.

There is the possibility Livingston will not be ready for the start of the regular season, which is less than two weeks away.

The medical reports Coach Mike Dunleavy has received point to an inflammation in Livingston’s lower back. Livingston has been able to participate in half-court drills, but he has experienced tightness, occasional spasms and pain in his back afterward.

Although 12-year veteran Sam Cassell is expected to begin the season as the team’s starting point guard, Livingston was projected to play significant minutes off the bench, both in relief of Cassell, but also in combination with him.

“It puts a lot of bearing on me, but I’m up to the task,” Cassell, 34, said.

Dunleavy and Elgin Baylor, the Clippers’ vice president of basketball operations, said if it is determined Livingston will be out for a significant amount of time, there will be a need for a veteran backup point guard on the roster.

“We’d have to start looking at the waiver list, to see who is out there,” Baylor said. “We’d be looking for a veteran point guard.”

INJURIES UPDATE

Livingston was not the only player out Friday. Centers Chris Kaman (bruised left hand) and Zeljko Rebraca (left knee tendinitis) remain on the sideline.

Starting forward Corey Maggette was pulled out of practice because of a strained left hamstring.

NO CONTRACT TALK

Dunleavy’s agent, Warren LeGarie, watched Friday’s practice, but LeGarie said he was not there to conduct contract extension discussions with Baylor. Dunleavy is in the final year of his three-year contract. The Clippers hold a club option for the 2006-2007 season.

Jury finds for Sterling

A jury rejected claims by a former employee of Clippers owner Donald Sterling that he fired her for turning down his sexual advances.

The jury said Sterling had not sexually harassed then retaliated against Sumner Davenport, hired by Sterling in 2001 as a property supervisor.